Minutes

Vice-Chairman Cheatham brought the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

1. Roll Call

   Present:	Commissioners Cheatham, Koch, Lombardo and Winnek
   Also Present:	Harold C. Williams, P.E., Director of Public Works/City Engineer Richard Garland, City Traffic Engineer Michael Flaherty, Public Works Superintendent Rhea Punneo, Administrative Assistant, Public Works Department Judith Tujillo, Recording Secretary

2. Flag Salute

   Public Works Superintendent Michael Flaherty led the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Approval of Minutes

   MOTION by Commissioner Lombardo to approve the Minutes of the November 14, 2001 meeting as written. Commissioner Koch seconded.

4. Public Comments

   None.

5. Correspondence

   Invitation from the South Bay City of Governments, 3rd Annual General Assembly, to be held at the Torrance Cultural Art Center on February 28, 2002, from 1:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. The theme is "Designing Livable Communities".

   The Commission received and filed this item.

6. Items for Commission Consideration

   1. Request for sidewalk encroachment 119 8th Street

      Mr. Behboodi gave the report. He indicated the encroachment has been in existence over 10 years. A permit was not required prior to May 15, 1996. The encroachment, therefore, is considered to be "grandfathered" in and doesn't require a permit. He also indicated there are other "grandfathered" encroachments in the City. The staff recommendation is for the Commission to receive and file the report.

      Discussion of available options followed indicating that in order to revoke any "grandfathered" encroachment, there would have to be construction of some kind in the public right-of-way.

      MOTION by Commissioner Lombardo to receive and file the report. Seconded by Commissioner Koch.

      Motion was carried by the following vote:

      Ayes: Cheatham, Koch, Lombardo, Winnek
      Noes: None
      Absent: None
      Abstain: None

   2. Request for Stop Sign on Hermosa Avenue at 19th Street to create a 3-Way Stop

      Mr. Garland presented the staff report. A technical analysis was conducted in accordance with Caltrans criteria to determine if a 3-way stop was warranted. Mr. Garland indicated the analysis conducted was an assessment of traffic volumes, accident statistics, vehicle delay and pedestrian activity. The Caltrans criteria are not hard and fast rules but guidelines. This intersection does have some visibility constraints due to parking. It is typical and standard for a divided street.

      In his conclusion, Mr. Garland said the analysis indicated that a 3-way stop at this intersection was not warranted and that there were no unique circumstances warranting the stop.

      MOTION by Commissioner Lombardo to approve the staff recommendation to deny the request for a stop sign on Hermosa Avenue at 19th Street. Seconded by Vice Chairman Cheatham.

      Vice-Chairman Cheatham commented for the record that the stop sign does not seem to be reasonable due to the low pedestrian traffic at 19th Street. There is good visibility for crossing. There are stop signs at 16th and 22nd Streets, which breaks up the flow of traffic and expressed concern for residents of the area as they may experience noise pollution due to the additional stop.

      Motion was carried by the following vote:

      Ayes: Cheatham, Koch, Lombardo, Winnek
      Noes: None
      Absent: None
      Abstain: None
      

   3. Review of street lighting on The Strand north of Pier Avenue

      Mr. Richard Garland presented the staff report. The area in question was observed during the evening and it was noted that the lighting is not uniform. Staff found that the pattern for the lights was determined by input directly from those affected: adjacent property owners and/or businesses. An invitation to provide input on this issue was sent to property owners, residents and business representatives in the areas under consideration.

      Gary King, 1522 The Strand

      Mr. King noted that he bought the house because of the unobstructed view of the ocean and they did not want the light to shine into their bedroom. Mrs. King commented that any problems usually occur under the lights.

      Discussion presented the following information:

      • The Kings have called the police on several occasions.
      • While the resident requesting the additional lighting was not present, Commissioner Koch commented that he also felt that there were dark areas along the Strand.
      • Low lighting similar to that being installed along the Strand in Manhattan Beach was suggested as an alternative to the current light poles.

      MOTION by Commissioner Koch directing staff to investigate costs of low level lighting for The Strand. Commissioner Winnek seconded.

      Ayes: Lombardo, Koch, Cheatham and Winnek
      Noes: None
      Absent: None
      Abstain: None

   4. Five-Year Capital Improvement Program Fiscal Years 201-02 through 2005-6 Final Form

      Director Williams presented the Five-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Plan in its final version.

      Discussion pointed out that while the first year of the Plan is funded, projects outside the current fiscal year are subject to approval by the City Council as the budget for those years are approved. And, as a living document, the Plan is continually changing as time passes.

      Commissioner Winnek asked if City Council had approved the CIP and Director Williams informed him the CIP had not yet been addressed.

      MOTION by Commissioner Lombardo to receive and file. Seconded by Vice Chairman Cheatham.

      Ayes: Lombardo, Winnek, Koch, and Cheatham
      Noes: None
      Abstain: None
      Absent: None

7. Commissioner's Report

   Newsrack Presentation

   Presentation was postponed until the January meeting.

   Vice-Chairman Cheatham commented the contractor did an excellent job on the slurry seal on Ardmore.

8. Council Agenda Items - November and December

   1. Monthly Activity Report - October 2001
   2. Project Status Reports- October 2001

   Commissioner Winnek inquired as to the status of the stop sign for Ardmore Avenue and 16th Street. Mr. Williams advised that Staff had been directed to review the location with the intention of installing a traffic signal at the site.

   Vice Chairman Cheatham expressed concern the Sewer Rehabilitation Projects shows 10 months between preliminary and final engineering. The 10 months appeared to be a long time. Director Williams indicated the schedules are set to allow time for staff to review. An additional concern was the sewer projects scheduling. Director Williams reviewed the process and the steps to be taken while maintaining minimal staffing.

   Commissioner Koch inquired about the "safety audit" mentioned in the Activity Report for October. Superintendent Flaherty advised that this was regarding new standards for playground equipment safety and standards for compliance and removal of deficiencies.

9. Items Requested by Commissioners

   Commissioner Winnek asked about the all-walk signal for the intersection of Pier and Hermosa Avenues. Mr. Garland and Mr. Flaherty commented that the company operating the signal was designing the new software.

   Updated Open Action items

   Vice Chairman Cheatham noted that the last 2 items on the Action Items List were to be discussed with the subcommittee. Subcommittee to review and offer recommendations.

10. Other Matters

    1. Public Works meeting schedule for January through June of 2002.

       Vice Chairman Cheatham informed the Commission he would not be able to attend the April 17, 2002 meeting due to being accepted into the Harvard Executive Fellows Program. Congratulations followed.

    2. Topics for Workshop with Planning Commission on February 27, 2002.

       Discussion for the workshop and topics for discussion Vice Chairman Cheatham presented:

       1. Infrastructure concerns. Sewers and roads. Growth
       2. Additional parking solutions
       3. Traffic and circulation projects impacts.
       4. Business district. Architectural themes. Common look.
       5. Utilities and pavement standards. Recommendations, review
       6. Conditional use enforcement.

11. Public Comments

    None

12. Adjournment

    At 8:15 p.m., Vice-Chair Cheatham adjourned to the next Commission meeting, January 16, 2002 at the School District facilities, 1645 Valley Drive, in the Multi-Purpose Room.

    Question presented of when would Council address the replacement Commissioner. Applications are accepted and interviews scheduled.